Manchester United bounced back from the home defeat by Southampton to maintain their pursuit of a top four place and increase pressure on Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp with victory at Loftus Road.

Manager Louis van Gaal heard the first sounds of revolt from United fans towards the end of a dismal first half when they called for him to ditch his favoured 5-3-2 formation.
Van Gaal responded by introducing Marouane Fellaini for Juan Mata at the start of the second half and the giant Belgian answered the call by putting United ahead with an emphatic finish.
The goal was harsh on QPR after England prospect Charlie Austin - watched from the directors' box by manager Roy Hodgson - twice brought fine saves out of United keeper David de Gea before the interval.
United's confidence increased with that goal and with QPR pressing in desperation for an equaliser, substitute James Wilson secured the three points with the second on the break in the dying seconds.
It was the perfect response by United, although recalled striker Radamel Falcao failed to score, twice being thwarted by QPR keeper Robert Green.
The pre-match talk had been that Redknapp's job at QPR would be in jeopardy if they lost, but this was not the performance of a team that had lost belief in its manager. Results, however, are all and this defeat keeps QPR firmly in the relegation zone.
Falcao's future has also been the subject of debate this week after Van Gaal left him out of the squad for the loss against Southampton - but the Colombian striker was back here and wasted an early chance to impress his manager.
He made space in the area to collect Mata's pass but could only shoot straight at QPR keeper Green from eight yards.
Austin has taken on the role of QPR's main hope of salvation this season - and he accepted that responsibility by bringing the best out of De Gea with two right-foot volleys showing good technique and accuracy.
With the interval approaching there was unrest among United's followers, with chants of "4-4-2" and "attack, attack, attack" in the face of a performance lacking any creativity.
Van Gaal acted and removed Mata to introduce Fellaini at the start of the second half, also reverting to a more orthodox back four.

Januzaj absence from squad fuels loan rumours

Adnan Januzaj was once again left out of the matchday squad as Manchester United hosted Southampton on Sunday, accelerating rumours the Belgian could be set for a loan spel away from Old Trafford.
Despite a brief spell of starts against opposition such as Chelsea and Manchester City when Louis van Gaal decided to play with two wingers, Januzaj has since been relegated to the odd substitute appearance but didn't even make the bench on Sunday.
After not even getting a single minute under his belt despite a heavily changed line-up against Yeovil, rumours continued that the teenager would move on loan this month.

Player Ratings: Man Utd 0-1 Southampton – Dismal Di Maria

David de Gea 6 Despite the defeat, de Gea's only job was to pick the ball out of the back of the net. It was that kind of game.

Phil Jones 5 Once again looked a bit clumsy and out of sorts with himself. Tried to offer himself as an attacking outlet but nothing came off for him.

Chris Smalling 6 Despite it all going a bit wrong late on, Smalling looked better on the ball early on and made a few good challenges but looked desperate once United fell behind.

Daley Blind 7 A shining light on a dull day. Blind's return will be useful if he hits good form. Defended well, put him so deadly crosses and looked the only player capable of anything. 

Antonio Valencia 6 Despite a lack of end product, Valencia was willing to beat his man today. Regularly got forward and laid on one good cross that Mata fired wide. Had worse days.

Michael Carrick 4 Couldn't grab hold of the game, Southampton had his number from the off and the away side certainly won the midfield battle.

PROMISING DEFENDER TELLS BT SPORT WHY HE LEFT MANCHESTER UNITED

The England under-21 international has signed for Burnley in an attempt to consistently play Premier League football.

Burnley have captured promising defender Michael Keane on a permanent deal from Manchester United this month, with the centre-half revealing that it was a difficult decision to leave Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old is a product of the United youth system, but only ever managed one Premier League appearance in his time with the historic club.
Loan spells elsewhere have included stints at Leicester, Derby and Blackburn, while Keane spent the first half of 2014-15 on a temporary deal at Turf Moor.
Having featured in ten league games this term for Sean Dyche’s men before his permanent switch, Keane believes that he has made the right decision to leave United.
“It was a big decision,” Keane revealed to BT Sport.
“I spoke to my family about it for ages because I had been there for nearly 12 years now. But I felt it was the right time, especially as I am playing regularly and I wouldn't get that at United at the minute.
"They didn't force me out, but they said if everyone is fit there I wouldn't be starting games. I thought I am playing games here and at my age I have a chance to play regularly in the Premier League and that's all I ever wanted, so it was quite an easy decision in the end.
"Now we want to stay in this league and we believe with the performances we have been putting in recently we can do.”

Keane played the full 90 minutes in Burnley’s essential 2-1 win over QPR at the weekend.
Given that youngsters Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair have been brought into Louis van Gaal’s first-team selection process at Old Trafford this season, the 22-year-old may feel aggrieved at not having more chance to play for United in the past.

Did Keane make the right decision leaving United for Burnley?

Radamel Falcao's Manchester United future in doubt after Louis van Gaal leaves him out of the squad for Southampton defeat

Radamel Falcao's future at Manchester United was in fresh doubt on Sunday night after Louis van Gaal axed the Colombia star from his squad against Southampton.

The move backfired as United suffered their first defeat at home to Saints in the league for 27 years, and failed to have a single shot on goal at Old Trafford for the first time since May 2009.

Manchester United sign Victor Valdes

Manchester United is delighted to announce that Victor Valdes has signed an 18-month contract with the option to extend for a further year.

Valdes, 32, came through the ranks of the FC Barcelona youth system, making his senior debut in 2002. He went on to win 21 major titles in La Liga. The Spanish international has 20 caps for his national team.

Victor Valdes said: "It is a real honour to sign for Manchester United. I would like to thank Louis van Gaal and the club for allowing me to do my rehabilitation and to train with the team at the Aon Training Complex. From my short time here I can already see this is a very special club. I worked with Louis van Gaal during my time at FC Barcelona and to have the opportunity to work with him here at Manchester United is a dream come true."

Premier League: Radamel Falcao yet to ignite Manchester United career as Louis van Gaal waits to see fireworks

For all the Manchester United stars in action at Yeovil’s Huish Park last weekend, it was the sight of Radamel Falcao limbering up that captured the imagination most on FA Cup third round weekend. A fish out of water tale from the West Country for the man nicknamed El Tigre. And yet, the wait for Falcao to look truly at home in the Premier League goes on too.
Against Yeovil, it seemed cruel that the striker should have to make way just as Juan Mata and Angel di Maria were introduced to help open the game up. It followed on from his New Year’s Day withdrawal at Stoke, a decision that left him visibly bewildered, coming as it did with the result in the balance and the striker having looked United’s best bet for a winner.

Juan Mata is an admirer

The reaction was one of genuine confusion rather than a case of grandstanding for the cameras. He soon remembered his surroundings and concentrated on geeing up his replacement but it added to the sense that every time Falcao’s fledgling career at United has threatened to ignite, the flame has been extinguished in quick time.
His headed equaliser at Aston Villa last month might have been a catalyst. It was a trademark goal from a man whose first 100 league goals in European football had come in just 122 starts. “He's scored so many goals over the years and you always feel that when he gets that chance he will score,” said Michael Carrick at the time. “Hopefully he can go on a bit of a streak for us.”